US Ambassador Slams Israel Over Illegal Settlement Activity

Al Quds, 9 Rabi’ul Akhir 1437/19 January 2016 (MINA) – US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro on Monday leveled sharp criticism against Israel’s illegal West Bank settlement policy, and said Israel has two standards of law in the territory, one for Israelis and another other for Palestinians.

Speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Shapiro said the Israeli occupation authorities have been turning blind eyes to settler violence against the Palestinians, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Too much Israeli vigilantism in the West Bank goes on unchecked,” Shaprio said. “There is a lack of thorough investigations … at times it seems Israel has two standards of adherence to rule of law in the West Bank – one for Jews and one for Palestinians.”

Shapiro added that the two-state solution is the only way to prevent Israel from turning into a bi-national state, and said a way must be found to preserve its viability.

He noted that the American administration is “concerned and perplexed” by the Israeli government’s illegal settlement policy, “which raises questions about Israeli intentions.”

The comments drew a harsh response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office director, who called the remarks “unacceptable and incorrect.”

“Israel enforces the law for Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority is the one responsible for the diplomatic freeze, and continues to incite and refuse talks,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office read.

Israel’s illegal settlements have often stood as major stumbling blocks before peace efforts since they are built at the expense of Palestinians’ motherland.(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)